WBE Certified – Woman Business Enterprise

Woman Business Enterprise

Fischer Mechanical LLC is a WBE company.  Kathleen Fischer is the President and majority owner with Matthew Fischer being the Operations Manager and partial owner. Fischer Mechanical holds a WBE certification with the State of Missouri Equal Opportunity.

Women-owned businesses are a fast-growing segment of today’s economy.  Since the establishment of WBE certifications, many new jobs have been created; a lot of unique opportunities have been formed, and many great entrepreneurs have entered the marketplace.

(The following information is off of the Missouri Equal Opportunity Office’s website.)

1. What is a MBE or WBE?

A Minority Business Enterprises is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more minority persons. A Woman Business Enterprise is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a woman. A racial minority is, for the purposes of the State of Missouri’s MBE program, defined as individuals who are Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian American and other similar racial minority groups as per Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 33 Section 33.750. Also included are Alaskan Natives, Pacific Islanders, and Aleuts. A complete list is provided on page 2 of our Policies and Procedures Manual located on the links of interest page.

There are advantages to obtaining the State of Missouri M/WBE certification.

• 1. Certification as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and/or Woman Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) provides greater opportunities for these businesses to participate on state bids as prime contractors or as subcontractors.
  2. All certified M/WBE vendors appear on the Office of Equal Opportunity Directory of Certified M/WBE vendors. Prime contractors and state agencies alike use this site as a resource in soliciting certified minority and/or female participation for ongoing projects.
  3. Certified M/WBE members are utilized by state agencies in various procurements for general services and vertical construction. The M/WBE certification is not used for Highway Construction Contracts let by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), which participates in the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. For information on DBE Certification please visit http://www.modot.org/ecr/
  4. Certified M/WBE members are invited to participate in various networking events, training and regional workshops sponsored by OEO.

To become M/WBE certified with the State of Missouri, a business meet the following requirements:

• At least 51 percent of the business must be owned by a minority and/or a woman;
• The minority and/or woman owner must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the U.S.;
• The minority and/or woman owner must hold the highest position in the company and be capable of exercising direct control over the daily, as well as long-term decisions regarding the management, policies and operations of the firm.
• The business must be organized as a for-profit business.

If the firm meets the requirements above then the firm may be eligible to participate in the State of Missouri M/WBE program.